Mail-carrier.



W. E. BURDEN.

MAIL CARRIER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-27.1916.

Patented May 22, 1917.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

il zllz'aml lfiaral ig Wltnesses 1 Inventor 7m. WW

Attorneys W. E. BORDEN.

MAIL CARRIER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-21. 191a.

Patented May 22, 1917.

2 SHEETS-{HEN 2.

Witnesses Attorneys WILLIAM E. BORDEN, OF HILLSBORO, OHIO.

MAIL-CARRIER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 22, 1917.

Application filed September 27, 1916. Serial No. 122,492.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it lmown that I, WILLIAM E. BORDEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hillsboro, in the county of Highland and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Mail-Carrier, of which the following is a specification. I

The device forming the subject matter of this application is adapted to be employed for transporting mail and similar small merchandise from a dwelling to a distant roadway, and forv transporting mail and merchandise from a point adjacent the roadway, to the dwelling.

One object of the present invention is to provide novel means for actuating the mail box, so that the same will move toward and away from the dwelling, over a relatively fixed track.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means for supporting and tightening the track.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide novel means whereby the endless belt which actuates the mail box, may be so connected with the mail box, and be so constructed, that slack will. be taken out of the belt automatically.

A further object of the invention is to improve the outer support which is located adjacent the roadway.

The invention contemplates improvements in the inner support which is located adjacent the dwelling.

It is within the province of the disclosure to improve the intermediate supports which lie between the dwelling and the roadway.

With the aboveand other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 shows in side elevation, a mail carrier embodying the present invention, parts being broken away;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the inner support and parts carried thereby;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section, showing one of the intermediate supports in elevatlon;

Fig. 4 is an elevation showing the outer support which is located near the roadway;

Fig. 5 is a fragmental cross section taken on the line 55 of Fig. 2, parts being omitted;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmental horizontal section taken through the mail box, and illustrating the means whereby the signal is mounted and controlled.

In carrying out the present invention there is provided an inner support 1 which may be in the form of a post, adapted to be located upon or near a dwelling, the post 1, if desired, being set in concrete. Fixed to the upper end of the support 1 is a base 3 carrying upright standards 4. Carried'by the base 3 and located at one side of the support 1 near to the upper end thereof is a main shaft 5. A gear wheel 6 is assembled with the shaft 5 and may be rotated by means of a handle 7 or otherwise. At their upper ends, the standards 4 carry side bearings 8 in which is j ournaled an auxiliary shaft 9. Fixed to one end of the auxiliary shaft 9 is a small pinion 10 which meshes into the gear wheel 6. Fixed to the other end of the shaft 10 and located exteriorly of the standards 4 is a fly wheel 11.. The invention includes a U-shaped, horizontally disposed holder 14 including arms 12, the ends of which are fixed to the standards 4. Adjacent their outer ends, the arms 12 of the holder 14 converge as shown at 15 and are connected by a tie bolt 16. In the outer end of the holder 14, there may be fashioned an opening 17 indi cated in dotted line in-Fig. 5. Journaled in the arms 12 nearv to the outer end of the holder 14 is a shaft 18 having a squared end 19 adapted to receive a wrench or key (not shown), whereby the shaft may be rotated. Fixed to the shaft 18 and located between the arms 12 is a spool 20. Secured to the shaft 18 and located exteriorly of one of the arms 12 is a ratchet wheel 21 adapted to be engaged by a pawl 22 pivoted as shown at 23 to one of the arms 12. V

The invention comprises any desired number of intermediate. supports 24, preferably in the form of posts. Attached to the side face of each support 24 is a bracket 25 preferably in the form of a strip, held in place by securing elements 26. The .upper end of the bracket 25 is fashioned into an outwardly projecting inclined extension 27, the upper end of which is formed into an inverted hook 28. Seated in the hook 28 is a frame 29 in which is journaled a sheave 30. The pivot element 31; for the sheave 30 serves, also, a means whereby the frame 29 is held in the hook 28. Disposed intermediate the upper and lower ends of the bracket 25 is a horizontal arm 32- having a depending finger 33. Certain: of the securing elements 26 which attach the bracket 25 to the intermediate support or post 24 may be used for holding the finger 33 on the bracket 25. The outer end of the arm 32 carries an approximately horizontal support 34 having a groove in its upper edge. U-shaped straps 35 are attached to the support 34. and bridge the groove in the upper edge of the support. The lower end of the bracket 25. is fashioned into a downwardly slanting extension 36 in the intermediate portion of which is formed a depending loop, 37 having an upwardly inclined end 38. A frame 39 like the frame 29 ismounted in the loop 37 and. carries a sheave 40. The pivot element 41 for the sheave 40 con stitutes. a meansfor holding the frame 29 in the loop 37.

The numeral 42 designates an outer support, preferably in the form of a post, the support 42 being set in concrete if desired. An L-shaped frame 45 is mounted on the post 42. Secured to the top of the frame 45 is a casing 4.9. The casing 49 carries an axle 50 on which is supported for rotation a wheel 51 located within the contour of the casing. That edge of the casing 49 which isdisposed toward the intermediate support 24 is provided with openings 52. The casing 49-includes an extension 53 in which is journaled for rotation a shaft 54 constr1icted like the shaft 18 and having a squared end 55 adapted to receive a wrench or key. The shaft 54 carries, within the contour of the extension 53, a spool like the spool 20. A reverse rotation of the shaft 54 is prevented by a pawl and ratchet mechanism 56, constructed like the parts-21 and 22.

The numeral 57 indicates a. flexible track, preferably a piece of wire. The track 57 extends. along the upper edge of the horizontal support 34 which is carried by the intermediate post 24, and passesslidably beneath the straps 35, so that if tension be applied to either end of the track 57, the track may be tightened up. One end of the track 57 passes through anopening 73 in the extension 53 of the casing 49 on the outer post 42, and is connected with the shaft 54. The other end of the track 57 passes through the opening 17 in the holder 1.4 on the inner post 2, and is connected with the spool 20. Obviously, by applying a, wrench or key either to the squared end 19 of the shaft 18, or to'the squared end 55 of the shaft 54, the shafts, or one of them, may be rotated,

' thereby tightening up the track 57. The

track maybe held tightened, by the pawl 22 and the ratchet wheel 21, or by the corresponding pawl and ratchet elements 56 which are located on the outer post 42.

The numeral 58 indicates a mail box of any desired sort, which need not be described in detail, since the present conveyer system cannot be characterized patentablyby any form of mail box, and since it is desired to use any kind of a mail box which is adapted for the ends in view. The numeral 59 indicatesa U-shaped' yoke, the ends of which are secured to the mail box 58. The extremity of one end of the yoke 59 is bent horizontally to form a bearing 60. In the upper surface of the bearing 60 is fashioned a groove or seat 61, which extends parallel to, the track 57. In the upper surface of the bearing 60- are fashioned cross seats or grooves 62 which lie approximately at right angles to the track 57.. Attached to the crown of the yoke 59 at the ends thereof are fingers 63 and 64. A shaft 65 is journaled in the finger 63 and in the bearing 60. Secured to the shaft 65 and projecting therefrom is a signal 66, preferably in the form of a rigid plate. The shaft 65 may be moved endwise in the bearing 60v and in the finger 63, and then be rotated, so as to cause the lower edge of the signal 66 to be engaged either in the seat 65, or in one of the cross seats 62. In this manner, the signal 66 may be so. arranged as to. convey the proper information to the occupants of a dwelling, or to the postman upon the roadway relative to the condition of the mail box 58 and its contents.

Attached tothe fingers 63 and 64 are retractile springs 67, the remote ends of the retractile springs 67 being attached to a flexible element 68, which may be a wire cable. The flexible element 68 passes through the openings 52 in the casing 49 of the outer post 42,, and is trained about the wheel 51 which is located within the casing. The upper run of the flexible element 68 en gages the sheave 40 on the upper end of the bracket 25 of the intermediate support. The lower run of the flexible element lies below the arm32 on the intermediate support 24. The flexible element 68 is trained around, a grooved wheel which is secured to the shaft 9 of the inner support 1. A signal 100 may be attached to the cable 68 to indi cate to a person at a dwelling when the mail box is adjacent the roadway and to indicate to the postman at the roadway, when the mail box is adjacent the dwelling.

The numeral 69 indicates a pair of hangers connected at their lower ends with the crown of the yoke 59 on the mail box 58. By means of shafts 70, the upper ends of the hangers 59 are connected with a hood 71 which is U-shaped in cross section. Journaled on the shafts 70 and located within the contour of the hook 71 are wheels 72 which are adapted to ride along the track 57 and along the supports 34.

In practical operation, the gear wheel 6 may be rotated by means of the handle 7, a rapid rotation being imparted to the shaft 9 through the instrumentality of the pinion 10. The grooved wheel 75 will thus be rotated, and the flexible element 68 will be actuated, the lower run of the flexible element drawing the mail box 58 t0 and fro.

Should the lower run of the flexible element 68 become somewhat slack, as is almost inevitable, if the conveyor system is of appreciable length, then the lower run of the flexible element will be received by the inclined parts 36 and 38 on the intermediate support (see Fig. 3), and the lower run of the flexible element will be guided onto the sheave 40 which is journaled in the depending loop 37.

Owing to the fact that the flexible element 68 is provided with the retractile springs 67, a considerable portion of the slack in the flexible element will be taken out. It is to be observed that the springs are located adjacent the mail box 58 and are connected thereto, the springs, therefore, being so located that they will exercise a maximum efficiency in preventing unnecessary slack in the flexible element 68, adjacent the heaviest portion of the flexible element, that is, adjacent the mail box.

The device is so constructed that a lateral swinging of the mail box 58 in the wind, will not interfere with the operation of the structure.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is 1. In a device of the class described, an inner support; an outer support; a track connecting the supports; a receptacle; a yoke carried by the receptacle; means assembled with the yoke for engaging the track slidably; upper and lower bearings carried by the yoke; a signal mounted in the bearings;

a flexible track; wheels on the supports; a flexible element trained around the wheels; a spring connecting one end of the flexible element withthe upper bearing; and means for connecting the other end of the flexible element with the yoke.

2. In a device of the class described, an inner support; an outer support; wheels on the supports; a flexible element trained about the wheels; a receptacle; a yoke connected with the receptacle; springs connected at their inner ends with the yoke, and having their outer ends connected with the ends of the flexible element; a track connecting the supports; and means carried by the yoke for engaging the track slidably.

3. In a device of the class described, an inner support; an outer support; an inter mediate support; a track connecting the supports; wheels journaled on the supports; a flexible element engaged around the wheels;

a receptacle; means for connecting the receptacle with the lower run ofthe flexible element; a bracket carried by the intermediate support; a sheave journaled on the upper end of the bracket and receiving the by the inner support; standards fixed to and rising from the base; a shaft journaled in the standards; a wheel carried by the shaft; a flexible element trained about the wheels; a receptacle connected with the flexible element; a holder projecting horizontally from the standards; a shaft journaled in the holder; means for preventing a reverse rotation of the last specified shaft; and a flexible track extended between the last specified shaft and the outer support, the receptacle being provided with means for engaging the track slidably.

, In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM E. BORDEN. Witnesses:

C. M. Iso, WALTER LEMON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

